Sites being prepared for trapping, despite EU ban - BirdLife

Trapping sites in Malta and Gozo are being readied for spring migration even though the EU Accession Treaty disallows trapping as from this year, BirdLife Malta said today.

It said trapping sites had been seen at Delimara, Maghtab, Mizieb, Dingli cliffs and Majjistral National Park.

It said the police have been removing trapping nets reported by BirdLife and members of the public at Delimara, Dingli cliffs, Majjistral National Park and Maghtab.

"Unattended nets pose a danger to wildlife as birds and other animals (such as snakes) can get caught and die tangled in the nets. In the last few weeks, dead birds have been recorded entangled at several sites with unattended nets in both Malta and Gozo," BirdLife said.

"The Accession Treaty Agreement Malta signed in 2004 clearly states that trapping cannot continue. The government has so far not opened the trapping season, but it has also not changed the national legislation to ban trapping in Malta." said Geoffrey Saliba, BirdLife Malta's Campaigns Coordinator. "This inaction from the government is leading some trappers to hope for the season to be opened."

He insisted that the Prime Minister needed to communicate the government's position on trapping, and make the necessary changes to the national legislation to ban trapping in line with the Accession Treaty.